November 11, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 104, 138
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Revelation 18:1-14
Luke 14:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 138:1-2
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.

Zephaniah 3:17-18a
The LORD your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.

Revelation 18:14
"The fruit for which your soul longed
has gone from you,
and all your dainties and your splendor
are lost to you,
never to be found again!" [ The angel to "Babylon"]

Luke 14:11
" ...For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." [ Jesus to the banquet guests]

III. Meditation: Humbled or exalted

We exalt ourselves, long for our dainties and our splendor;
but they are gone from us, never to be found again-
we are humbled.

We humble ourselves, with our whole heart give you thanks
for your steadfast love and faithfulness; then, all unawares-
we are exalted.

You are in our midst, in you we are victorious;
you rejoice over us in gladness, renew us in your love;
we give you thanks and sing your praise.